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Savannah cyclist continues to set a fast pace

Stephen Berend

Nestor Gernay, organizer of Savannah's competitive league, the Nestor Cup, rounds a corner in Chippewa Square during a weekend ride. Gernay, who's been cycling for more than 40 years, said his racing days are far from over. The 63-year-old plans to go to the national championships next year and win his age group.

Savannah cyclist Nestor Gernay is saddened by Floyd Landis' plight, but he doesn't think the Tour de France winner's woes will affect or diminish the sport's growth locally.

A native of Belgium, Gernay came to the United States as a child with his family.

He's been cycling for more than 40 years and organized a competitive league in Savannah about 10 years ago.

"We had 20 people, at the most, competing then," said Gernay, shortly after he had completed an "easy" 45-mile training ride Thursday evening.

The Nestor Cup now has 62 riders spread across 12 teams. The season runs from April through August, with races at several locations, including the Jimmy DeLoach Parkway and Hutchinson Island.

"Little by little it's evolved to this point," said Gernay.

"Every year it gains new momentum."

The 63-year-old Gernay remains one of its fastest riders and fiercest competitors.

"I use my smarts to survive now," he said. "I can't do anything about my heart rate, so I have to play games. But it's very motivating, and I still love it."

Mike Maynor, co-owner of Quality Bike Shop and a Nestor Cup participant, said Gernay is a savvy rider who knows how to time his moves during the races.

Gernay is more than just a competitor, said Maynor, he's also an educator.

"He taught me about road racing," he said, recalling grueling workouts at Hunter Army Airfield as he tried to stay on the older man's wheel.

Gernay's attachment to the sport started in Belgium, a cycling-mad country that follows riders with religious fervor.

He now enjoys a friendship with Eddie Merckx, a Belgian who earned the nickname "The Cannibal" over an unparalleled career that included five Tour de France wins and five Tour of Italy wins.

Merckx also dominated the one-day classics like Italy's Milan-San Remo, an event he won seven times. In all, he posted more than 400 professional wins.

"Even (Lance) Armstrong will admit there's never been another cyclist like Eddie Merckx," said Gernay. "There's no one today racing like he did."

Looking forward, Gernay said his racing days are far from over.

He's using this year as a building block, with the intention to go to the national championships next year and win his age group.

"I believe that I can still get faster," he said.

The next big thing

With Lance Armstrong retired, and Floyd Landis under investigation, American professional cycling is in transition. When asked who he thought might step to the forefront, Nestor Gernay had a surprising answer.

Christian Vande Velde, a 30-year-old member of Team CSC, should merit serious consideration, said Gernay. Vande Velde finished 24th in the Tour de France this year, and it takes two or three tours to understand how to ride the event.

Gernay said George Hincapie, a Discovery Channel rider who wore the Tour's yellow jersey for one day, is unlikely to contend at one of the major stage races. "I've know him since he was 15," Gernay said of Hincapie, "and he's basically a classics rider."

Gernay is not ready to slam the door on Landis - yet.

The situation will need some time to resolve, said Gernay, adding that only Landis knows "whether he's guilty or not."